The South’s biggest grocery chain, a global electronics manufacturer with 100 plants in 30 countries, one of the industry’s largest independent financial services firms and a top phosphate producer whose fertilizer products help feed the world. These are a handful of the largest corporations headquartered in Greater Tampa Bay. All enjoy legacy of success here and are frequent fliers on the Fortune 500 rankings.
One of these companies includes Jabil. Out of its 100 locations worldwide, it has chosen St. Petersburg as its headquarters for more than 30 years and continues to grow here. It is a key member of the vast network of manufacturing companies throughout the region.
Financial services firm Raymond James Financial started up in St. Petersburg in 1962, and it has been based here ever since — despite countless other wealth companies choosing Wall Street. In many ways, Raymond James was the trailblazer for others in the finance industry to settle here. An increasing number of large technology and finance companies are starting and relocating to GTB amid monumental growth in both industries.
GTB has an incredibly supportive business climate, cost-friendly policies, access to abundant and diverse talent pools, high connectivity to other regions and an amazing quality of life, with top-ranked hospitals, affordable living costs and communities rich with culture. These are just a few reasons large corporations have made a home here for years, and reasons why more plant roots here year after year.
Fortune 500 companies 2021
No. 69 Publix Super Markets
Publix is the dominant grocery store chain in the Southern United States, with 1,266 stores total. Its history in Lakeland traces all the way back to 1945, and today, it is Polk County’s largest employer. Publix ranked higher than any other Florida-based company on the 2021 Fortune 500 list. Publix was the largest worker-owned business in 2020.
- HQ: Lakeland
- Industry: Food and Drugstores
- Type: Private
- Total employees: 227,000
- Jumped 18 spots in rankings
No. 104 Jabil
Jabil is a global manufacturer of a variety of electronics used in several industries. Apple and Amazon are Jabil’s largest customers. It has 100 plants in 30 countries, and its St. Petersburg plant specializes in electro-mechanical systems for industries including defense & aerospace, military supply chains, communications, power distribution systems and vehicle electronics. Jabil was the second-highest ranked Fortune 500 company in Florida.
- HQ: St. Petersburg
- Industry: Semiconductors and Other Electronic Components
- Type: Public
- Total employees: 240,000
- Jumped 17 spots in rankings
No. 117 TD Synnex
In late 2021, Clearwater-based Tech Data Corporation merged with Fremont, California-based Synnex, forming the company TD Synnex. TD Synnex is a global distributor and solutions aggregator for the IT ecosystem. The IT industry leader serves customers in more than 100 countries.
- HQ: Co-headquartered in Clearwater and in Fremont, California
- Industry: Wholesalers, Electronics and Office Equipment
- Type: Public
- Total employees: 22,000
- Jumped 13 spots in rankings
No. 346 Mosaic
The Mosaic Company mines phosphate and potash, key ingredients in fertilizers and animal feed. It is one of the world’s largest producers of these materials. Its fertilizers help grow food all around the world.
- HQ: Tampa
- Industry: Chemicals
- Type: Public
- Total employees: 12,617
- Jumped 10 spots in rankings
No. 367 Raymond James Financial
Raymond James is a global financial services firm that assists both individuals and corporations or institutions with wealth management. The company includes approximately 8,400 financial advisors across the United States, Canada and Europe.
- HQ: St. Petersburg
- Industry: Securities and Asset Management
- Type: Public
- Total employees: 15,000
- Jumped 29 spots in rankings
Fortune 1000
No. 714 Bloomin’ Brands
Bloomin’ Brands is a casual dining restaurant chain, restaurants including Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. It is one of the world’s largest such companies, with more than 1,450 restaurants in 47 states, Guam and 20 countries.
- HQ: Tampa
- Industry: Food services
- Type: Public
- Total employees: 77,000
Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For 2021
No. 42 Publix Super Markets
No. 68 BayCare Health System
Florida’s Biggest Public Companies
No. 1 Jabil — St. Petersburg
No. 11 Mosaic — Tampa
No. 13 Raymond James Financial — St. Petersburg
No. 27 Bloomin’ Brands — Tampa
No. 32 Masonite International — Tampa
No. 38 Primo Water Corporation — Tampa
No. 46 Sykes Enterprises — Tampa
No. 48 MarineMax — Clearwater
— Florida Trend, 2021
Florida’s Biggest Private Companies
No. 1 Publix Super Markets Inc. — Lakeland
No. 2 Tech Data — Clearwater
No. 14 Morgan Auto Group — Tampa
No. 21 Rooms to Go — Seffner
No. 31 FrankCrum — Clearwater
No. 43 Coca-Cola of Florida — Tampa
No. 49 AVI-SPL — Tampa
— Florida Trend, 2021
